So you were recently involved in a motor vehicle collision. Your car is damaged or totaled, and you or your loved ones have suffered some significant injuries, aches, and pains. Regardless of the severity of the collision you were involved in, there are important things to know about how a motor vehicle collision could affect your insurance premium moving forward. Will it go up? Can I use my insurance to fix the damage to my vehicle even if it wasn’t my fault? What happens if you use your insurance to fix the damage to your car, but it was the other person’s fault?
Will my insurance premiums go up?
The short answer is, it depends on your insurance company. Insurance companies generally consider a number of factors when deciding whether or not to raise your insurance premiums after a motor vehicle collision. Some of these factors include the amount bodily injury and property damage that was caused, which party was listed at fault for the collision, your personal history with your insurance company such as the amount of time you have been with them or if you have had previous claims in the past, and how recent those previous claims were. Often times, if a number of claims have not been made against your policy, and you are not listed as the at-fault party, your insurance premium will not be affected significantly.
Can I use my insurance to fix the damage to my vehicle even if it wasn’t my fault?
Yes! It will speed the process up, so you don’t have to wait for the at-fault party’s insurance to accept liability for the collision.
What happens if you use your insurance to fix the damage to your car, but it was the other person’s fault?
If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision and you are not at fault, you can always pay your deductible to your own insurance carrier, and they will take care of fixing your vehicle damages for you. After this process is complete, your insurance company will begin the process of subrogation, in which your insurance company will contact the insurance company for the at-fault party after liability has been accepted, at which time your insurance carrier will be reimbursed the amount they paid out for the property damage to your vehicle.
It is important to always know your legal rights and be properly apprised of them in every situation. If you have ever been involved in a motor vehicle collision, you may be confused about the process and what to do next. The attorneys at Herrman & Herrman PLLC are always on standby to help! Contact Herrman & Herrman PLLC, located at 1201 Third St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78404 or 801 E. Fern Ave., McAllen, Texas 78501. If you have any questions about a potential claim or would like to sit down for a consultation and discuss your issue, please contact us immediately. At Herrman & Herrman PLLC, we always strive to put our clients, first!
*This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to, and should not be construed as legal advice.
